I've been waiting for weeks for the Indianapolis Star to announce their endorsement of a Presidential candidate. A friend of mine works at the Star, and it has taken every ounce of my being to not constantly pester her about the "inner workings" of their editorial board. So, today, I get on their website with somewhat bated breath to find out they're picking...no one.
I need some help in figuring out if the Star's non - stance is a good thing or a bad thing. But, I guess a history "primer" is in store for those here who may not know it. The Indianapolis Star was started "back in the good 'ol days" by Dan Quayle's family. It has never - EVER - endorsed a Democractic POTUS candidate; well, I don't know if they endorsed LBJ in 1964 or not - the last time a Democratic candidate won the state of Indiana in a general election. In the Democratic primary back in May, the Star chose Senator Clinton over Senator Obama, and they site the "concerns" of Gen. Wesley Clark & former Secretary of State Madelyn Albright in their editorial today announcing their "decision".
However, in some ways, the Star's non - stance, is a reflection of where Indiana is today, I think, in this POTUS election just over a week out. It feels incredibly weird to say this, but, this year, Indiana is a swing state! For once, at least as long back as I can remember as a life - long "Hoosier", I don't think Indiana will be called for the GOP POTUS candidate a minute after the polls close, which is what normally happens. If we want to go by yard signs, my neighborhood & the surrounding area is solidly in the Obama camp. On the southside of Indianapolis, however, the McCentury/MooseMom signs seem to have the edge.
Indiana will be close this year; I think we may be waiting into the night for these results like we were with the Dem primary results back in May. So, I repeat my opening "plea for guidance." Is the Star non - endorsement, the largest most - widely circulated paper in the state, a good thing or a bad thing?
Here's a link to their editorial announcing their non - decision:
http://www.indystar.com/...